Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
Oaklands Equine Hospital, Yarm, North Yorkshire, UK.
Equine Vet J. 2020 Mar;52(2):281-289. doi: 10.1111/evj.13164. Epub 2019 Sep 8.
Few studies are available concerning prevalences of abnormalities in the Thoroughbred horse population.
Determine the prevalence of commonly observed abnormalities in a National Hunt Thoroughbred population using results of pre-purchase examinations conducted at Thoroughbred sales venues.
Retrospective cross-sectional study.
Veterinary pre-purchase examination certificates for 13,603 3- and 4-year-old Thoroughbred National Hunt horses from Tattersalls Ireland, Goffs Ireland and Doncaster Bloodstock Sales Ltd. (DBS) Sales were analysed. All conditions noted by the veterinarians were recorded to determine the prevalence of abnormalities.
Abnormalities were recorded in 73.6% of horses; 12.0% had abnormalities likely to prejudice their use for racing. Metacarpal/metatarsal exostoses and tarsal-plantar desmitis affected 17.1 and 19.4% of the sample respectively, while 9.9% were found to make abnormal respiratory noises and 5.3% had recurrent laryngeal neuropathy. Age, year of birth and sex significantly affected the prevalence of many abnormalities (P<0.001). The proportions of horses sold differed significantly between horses with and without some abnormalities, with unaffected horses significantly more likely to be sold (e.g., prejudicial findings present vs. non-prejudicial/none, 38.1% vs. 77.6% respectively, P<0.001). A range of abnormalities significantly negatively affected the price at sale (P<0.001). Significantly higher proportions of horses in the lower price categories had multiple abnormalities (P<0.001).
The study consisted only of horses entered into store horse sales and presented for sale. Horses kept for racing or breeding purposes or horses withdrawn prior to the panel veterinary pre-purchase examination were not included. The upper respiratory tract was only examined endoscopically in horses found to have an abnormal respiratory noise.
A large proportion of 3- and 4-year-old Thoroughbred National Hunt horses intended for sale are affected by abnormalities. The prevalence of many abnormalities increases with age and certain abnormalities are viewed negatively by purchasers, affecting sale of the horse and achieved sale price.
有关盛装舞步马种群异常发生率的研究甚少。
利用在盛装舞步马销售场所进行的采购前检查结果，确定国家狩猎盛装舞步马种群中常见异常的发生率。
回顾性横断面研究。
分析了来自爱尔兰塔特萨尔、爱尔兰高夫斯和唐卡斯特种马销售有限公司（DBS）销售的 13603 匹 3 至 4 岁纯种赛马的兽医采购前检查证书。记录兽医记录的所有病症，以确定异常的发生率。
73.6%的马匹存在异常；12.0%的马匹存在可能影响其赛马用途的异常。掌骨/跖骨外生骨和跗跖-足底筋膜炎分别影响了样本的 17.1%和 19.4%，9.9%的马匹出现异常呼吸音，5.3%的马匹患有复发性喉返神经病变。年龄、出生年份和性别显著影响许多异常的发生率（P<0.001）。存在某些异常的马匹与无异常的马匹之间的销售比例存在显著差异，无异常的马匹更有可能被出售（例如，有偏见的发现与无偏见的/无发现相比，分别为 38.1%和 77.6%，P<0.001）。一系列异常显著降低了销售价格（P<0.001）。价格较低的马匹中，存在多种异常的比例显著更高（P<0.001）。
该研究仅包括进入种马销售并待售的马匹。用于赛马或繁殖目的的马匹或在小组兽医采购前检查前撤回的马匹均未包括在内。仅在发现呼吸异常的马匹中对上呼吸道进行内窥镜检查。
拟销售的 3 至 4 岁盛装舞步马中有很大一部分受到异常的影响。许多异常的发生率随着年龄的增长而增加，某些异常受到购买者的负面评价，影响了马匹的销售和成交价格。
